Two down, one to go as Queens look to defend Super Cup title

Queens of the Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) women’s league Nairobi Water remain unbeaten in a long time, across different competitions both locally and regionally and that streak looks safe even as they fight for the super cup title.

Having bagged the league title and the East and Central Africa titles last year, the Jack Ochieng-led side are out to defend their Cup title and begin their 2022 season on a high. It remains to be seen if they will receive any real opposition in their remaining match.

Tough task for GSU in quest for Super Cup last four

So far, the side that boasts experience and depth has won their two opening matches on the weekend. Up against Cup debutants, Nanyuki and arch-rivals National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) ladies on Saturday and Sunday respectively, there was no stopping them as they picked easy wins.

Against Nanyuki, Water secured an easy 20-goal win in a 37-17 outcome to get their campaign off to a positive start. On Sunday, a 32-19 victory was enough to move them closer to the title in the four-team, round-robin, competition.

Against the millers, Cecelia Katheu and Brenda Ariviza caused the biggest problems, scoring seven and six respectively while skipper Gladys Chilo contributed five in the win. NCPB’s Sarah Mabonga, was, however, the top scorer in the match with eight goals but it was too little to make a difference for the Danstun Eshikumo-led side.

“We have had good matches so far and have actualized our game plans. Our biggest weakness has been defense and we have to work on that ahead of the remaining match which will be our toughest going by the regular league standings,” offered Chilo.

Water have two weeks to prepare for one of the eagerly awaited Super Cup match, a clash against Ulinzi Sharks, likely to determine the Cup winner. The military side opened their campaign on Sunday against siblings, Nanyuki Ladies, another military side, picking a 30-17 win.

NCPB, Strathmore through to Handball Super Cup semis

On Sunday, 20 March, the soldiers face their second hurdle in the quest for a first gong in NCPB before the ‘final’ against Water on 26 March.

On their part Nanyuki are looking to end their campaign on a high on Saturday 19 March as they take on former champions NCPB. Team manager cum player Nancy Owaga maintains that the side is ready to pick a win despite their two losses.

“We have had good matches and compared to how we performed at the beginning of last season, we are a better side. We face NCPB in our last match and are going for a win.

In the regular season, we won the first leg encounter and lost in the repeat fixture but we are ready for maximum points next weekend,” offered Owaga.